Chapter 3

(author's note: See another chapter ready to go. )

Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter.

Rose was grateful that at lunch no one asked her about the letter and no one talked to her about her studies. Everyone seemed to steer clear of anything involving Rose, she was pretty sure her mum had made sure of that.

After lunch, Rose waited for the males to leave the room and set out to help her mum. "You need some help, mum?"

"Sure. You want to dry while I wash?" Rose smiled knowing full well what that meant, her mum was smiling too. They were about to indulge in girl talk. Dishwashing was their special time together. It had always been their special time. When Rose was eight she looked forward to this time more than any other. It was a chance to talk to her mum about anything. Of course, at eight the only problem she had was Hugo not knocking before he entered her room. Now, she had much bigger problems.

"So, I guess you're wondering about the letter from Scorpius?" Rose decided not to waste time, so, she got right to the point.

"Well, yes, but I only want to talk about that if you do."

"It's ok, we can talk about it. Actually, I was hoping to get your advice." Rose saw her mum's features soften. "How did you know you loved dad? When did you know he was the one?"

"What's this about? Do you think he loves you?"

"Who?"

"Scorpius."

"What? Oh. No, mum, I'm not asking for me, I'm asking for a friend. And I know people usually say that and mean themselves, but I mean my friend."

"Well, okay then. That's a tough question, Rose. I fancied him and thought there might be something between us for years before I knew it was love. I wanted him to ask me to the Yule Ball in fourth year, but I didn't realize that I loved him, I just knew I wanted him to notice me and to think of me as a girl and not just Hermione, best friend.

"It wasn't until sixth year that I really knew it was love. Unfortunately, that was also the year your dad went completely mental." Rose looked over at her mum, who had a sad, faraway look in her eyes. "Anyway, he's with me now, so I guess he wisened up." She handed Rose a plate to dry.

"Okay, so how did you know it was love? How could you tell?"

"Sweetie, love isn't a disease that you diagnose. True, there are symptoms. But really, you just kind of know. For me, it was the fact that I couldn't have him. It was my turn to be jealous and it was so awful, Rose. I hope you never have to experience that. But if you do, just know that sending a flock of canaries at him doesn't solve anything. It might make you feel good for a moment, but it doesn't help anything."

"Okay, so dad was with someone else? Who?"

"Her name was Lavender, and she was my complete opposite. Your dad liked to rub their 'relationship' in my face. I couldn't stand seeing them together and I knew that it was more than me just not liking his choice of girlfriend. I wanted to be his girlfriend, I wanted to hug him and – er – well, I wanted to be with him all the time. I didn't want to share him with some other girl, who was completely wrong for him."

"It's okay, mum, you married him. No use getting upset." Her mum's face had taken on a reddish color. It reminded her of her dad's hair and it made Rose want to giggle.

"Sorry, Rosie. I guess I still don't like thinking about your dad with someone else. I love him, you and Hugo so much. Anyway, that's how I knew I loved him. I didn't want to be apart from him and I couldn't imagine my life without him. Plus, the stupid butterflies I had when I was around him kind of gave me a clue." Her mum winked and dried her hands. "Well, I think the dishes are good and clean, what do you think?"

Rose hugged her mum tightly and thanked her for the advice. She ran up to her room thinking all the while about a plan that was formulating in her mind.